The government kicked off retail shop registration yesterday for the “Khon La Khrueng Plus” co-payment scheme, expecting participation from at least 900,000 stores and an estimated 88 billion baht in economic circulation.
According to Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, the ministry wants to encourage small retailers to participate in the scheme to ensure funds are broadly distributed throughout the economy. Retail shop registration closes on Dec 19.
Registration for the public is scheduled from Oct 20-26 and targets 20 million participants. The estimate of 88 billion baht comprises 44 billion baht contributed by the government and 44 billion in consumer spending.
Participants can spend under the scheme from Oct 29 to Dec 31. The government believes the programme will help the economy evade a contraction in the fourth quarter.
For existing retail stores or those who previously participated in the Khon La Khrueng Phase 5 — around 900,000 stores — they can update the Thung Ngern app and accept the new terms and conditions to immediately join the co-payment scheme. Roughly 100,000 stores remain active on the platform.
New retail shops wishing to join the scheme must prepare their national ID card and photos of their actual store, then verify their identity at their district office or the Interior Ministry in their area.
Afterwards, they must bring the verified documents to Krungthai Bank (KTB) to confirm their identity and store authenticity.
Verification is estimated to take three days, then shops can access the Thung Ngern app.
Merchants can download application forms from www.?????????????.com, and KTB offers full assistance throughout the process.
“This scheme focuses on small and micro businesses, including market vendors and street sellers. It does not allow large enterprises or modern trade retailers to participate,” said Mr Ekniti.
“This time, the programme also opens opportunities for small juristic persons with annual income not exceeding 1.8 million baht to join — expanding the previous scheme that was limited to individual merchants.”
The government is also allowing public transport services, including licensed motorcycle taxi drivers, to participate. Their information must be verified through the Land Transport Department and the Transport Ministry.
He said all data within the co-payment system will be kept in a closed and secure system to protect user privacy. No transaction data will be shared externally, not even with the Revenue Department.
However, Mr Ekniti reminded people that paying taxes is the duty of every Thai once income is earned.